FRRR has announced another $78,000 in grants for two exciting projects in the Bay and Basin area.
The funding is through FRRR’s Investing in Rural Community Futures (IRCF) program, which is supported by Bendigo Bank’s Community Enterprise Foundation.
An injection of $30,000 will see Bay & Basin Community Resources (BBCR) engage a part-time project officer to coordinate the Ls & Ps Program, a young-driver education program. The new staff member will liaise with volunteers, oversee day-to-day operations and support collaboration to further develop the program.
Importantly, this funding will free up BBCR’s managers to develop a plan to ensure the sustainability of the Ls & Ps program. They will engage with young people who will benefit from the program, including local youth at Waminda, Yilbara, Vincentia High School, Youth Insearch, Sussex Neighbourhood Centre, Youth Justice and Ostara.
FRRR’s IRCF Program Manager on the South Coast, Carolyn Ardler, says that the program was identified as a priority at the youth workshop held last year, as well as by the Illawarra South Coast Local Jobs Transport Committee.
“The ability to drive is so important for young people in this region, as it opens up many more opportunities for employment, as well as social connection. By supporting a coordinator, who can keep the program running day to day, the BBCR team will have more time to identify partners to maintain the vehicles and pull together the evidence about the critical role of this program, which will help with longer-term funding,” Ms Ardler explained.
The second grant will not only help deliver an event in Huskisson over Easter, but it will also create employment opportunities, enable people to connect with First Nations culture and generate income within the community. The Blak Markets, to be held on 20 April 2025 at White Sands Park in Huskisson, will be an ethical market that will showcase the work of local Aboriginal artisans and strengthen connections between local businesses, the broader community and the local Aboriginal community. A range of artworks, craft, bushfoods and fashion from local small businesses will be featured, as well as workshops, performances and dancing.
A pilot event, supported by First Hand Solutions and Djiriba Waagura, held in April 2024, attracted 300 Aboriginal people and a further 3,000 from the broader community.
Ms Ardler says this is a really exciting project that will deliver broad community benefits.
“The funding will employ a local trainee, who will build skills in events management and planning through mentoring, as well as engage local cultural services for the Blak Market and support promotion of the market to stallholders and the public.
“The five years since the Black Summer bushfires have been challenging for many people and we hope that this opportunity will prompt local artisans to re-engage and share their work. We expect the market will lead to increased income and employment opportunities for local Aboriginal people, increase their confidence in their artistic and cultural endeavours and deliver opportunities to engage in broader national and international markets.”
While the IRCF program in the Bay and Basin is coming to a close, there is still an opportunity to apply for toolbox grants focussed on building the capacity of local NFPs. If your organisation has participated in the IRCF program over the past four years and have a capacity need that aligns with the roadmap, you can apply for up to $15,000. If this sounds like you contact Carolyn Ardler by emailing [email protected].